The $767 question

[K9KLC]

I don’t have a computer though. So I can’t use the sentinel software. Does that matter?

Uhggg. well....that does add a new dimension to it I'd guess. Might be worth picking up some used cheap s$$ laptop just to make things easier. I don't run windows except for programming ham/commercial/scanning equipment and not long ago stumbled across a 100 dollar laptop that I use for that stuff. I'd maybe look into getting something then. That being said, for what you're paying them to program it, you can likely find an old used laptop and use it for your programming more than once.

 

[EAFrizzle]

To go with what K9KLC said, a computer, even borrowed, is kinda necessary. You need to update the database immediately upon receipt, because it ships with a database from 2018.(the one I got Dec 2024 did) You will likely find yourself very limited in what you can hear with the out-of-date database.

 

[dave3825]

If you ever decide to purchase any upgrades for that radio, Uniden is the cheapest over anybody else. And if you don’t have a way to use sentinel software because you don’t have a computer, you will never be able to update the scanner with the most current data.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I don’t have a computer though. So I can’t use the sentinel software. Does that matter?

Put the $150 you'd otherwise budget for programming towards a PC. You can pick one up at auction for that or less, don't need a powerhouse of a machine for programming. If you have an extra $50.00 to spare after the fact, get Proscan. Trust me & many others here: you won't regret it!

 

[EAFrizzle]

Or just find a Windows 10 cheapie at a pawn shop.

 

[lwvmobile]

I don’t have a computer though. So I can’t use the sentinel software. Does that matter?

Take your $767-$1000 budget and buy a good PC with a GPU and some SDR dongles instead, you'll get a lot more bang for you buck.

 

[K9KLC]

Put the $150 you'd otherwise budget for programming towards a PC. You can pick one up at auction for that or less, don't need a powerhouse of a machine for programming. If you have an extra $50.00 to spare after the fact, get Proscan. Trust me & many others here: you won't regret it!

Ya, ya, ya, here we go again with that @ProScan stuff again.... Ok get it, learn it, enjoy it, use it! Of all the software I've purchased, so far, this has been the most fun and there's a TON of help out there for it!

 

[mrhermit]

I don’t have a computer though. So I can’t use the sentinel software. Does that matter?

It matters if you want to add, delete or modify your database for your radio. You can do that manually, but for me it is much easier with a Windows compatible computer.

 

[Jrod74]

Take your $767-$1000 budget and buy a good PC with a GPU and some SDR dongles instead, you'll get a lot more bang for you buck.

Even though I’m computer illiterate?

 

[buddrousa]

@Jrod74
Also if you look at very respected member willing to sell a very good SDS200 for $500 and shipping with a few add-ons I do not need a 3rd SDS200 or I would add it to my collection.

 

[lwvmobile]

Even though I’m computer illiterate?

Well, you don't seem to have any issues replying on whatever device you are using now. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess a smart phone. This isn't the 1980's anymore, the computer user experience at its most fundamental level isn't very much different than you get on a smart phone, tablet, and so on. Its not a big scary box running CBM.

 

[dmfalk]

Cheap Windows machine? eBay is your friend... Windows is easy to use....

SDR? Not so easy to use, though it's cheap.

 

[jtwalker]

Even though I’m computer illiterate?

Then forget about scanning in the 21st century. If you have a smart phone, stick with what’s available from Broadcastify.

 

[Jrod74]

@Jrod74
Also if you look at very respected member willing to sell a very good SDS200 for $500 and shipping with a few add-ons I do not need a 3rd SDS200 or I would add it to my collection.

Where is that?

 

[snyderdobes77]

So I got my SDS100 today, bought from MTC (traded in my TRX-1) did not have to pay any tax so final out the door price was $380. I don't use windows machines, so I picked up a "refurbished" windows 10 machine from Walmart it was $99 bucks (it has not arrived as of yet). I did have a worthless HP Stream for the TRX but did not have enough hard drive even to update windows 10. I live in Yakima WA (roughly 200 miles west of Spokane). everything around here is pretty easy to listen to with minimum encryption. I literally took me 10 mins to get the SDS100 up and scanning using the zip code function, actually took me longer to figure out to get the stupid battery cover open on the scanner. Point is you can use the scanner if you don't have a windows computer or at least until you find a really cheap one. I got a lot of use out of the TRX and did really enjoy it, originally got it because it was cheaper than the SDS. So like other posters have said if everything goes encryption there still is a lot to listen to.

 

[buddrousa]

The SDS200 is already gone.

 

[BinaryMode]

I am a Spokane County, Washington resident and am seriously thinking about buying a uniden Sds200. My only worry is the police will go to full encryption and my scanner will be obsolete in the near future. I currently listen to scanner 5.0 nightly here, but can’t tune out AMR and fire which is very annoying. Any opinions or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

There is only ONE simulcast site in your county according to the database. Spokane Regional Emergency Communications System Trunking System, Spokane, Washington

I checked, and other than the "jail" site, all others are noted as being multicast. Which means depending on where you are at in the county you may not need an SDS type of scanner at all. A Uniden P2 could suffice. The SDS line of scanners are what can help with simulcast distortion.

So with that being said, what town or towns do you plan on monitoring? That will then dictate what scanner you may want to purchase.

Also note that there is a whole lot of encryption already. The DE in the third column means encryption.

 

[Jrod74]

There is only ONE simulcast site in your county according to the database. Spokane Regional Emergency Communications System Trunking System, Spokane, Washington

I checked, and other than the "jail" site, all others are noted as being multicast. Which means depending on where you are at in the county you may not need an SDS type of scanner at all. A Uniden P2 could suffice. The SDS line of scanners are what can help with simulcast distortion.

So with that being said, what town or towns do you plan on monitoring? That will then dictate what scanner you may want to purchase.

Also note that there is a whole lot of encryption already. The DE in the third column means encryption.

id like to be able to hear casino security

 

[MTS2000des]

I'd wager most casino security is encrypted for obvious reasons.

 

[Jrod74]

I'd wager most casino security is encrypted for obvious reasons.

Does anyone in spokane know if Quest and Tribe are encrypted?